Pressure on 2nd pick in draft to be QB to restore luster to franchise

ASHBURN, Va. — The arrival of Robert Griffin III with the Redskins was not met with a parting of clouds and the sounding of trumpets from a legion of angels.

But if owner Dan Snyder could have afforded the angels, it probably would have happened.

With all due respect to LaVar Arrington, Champ Bailey, Joe Gibbs (the second time around), Albert Haynesworth, Sonny Jurgensen, Vince Lombardi, Heath Shuler and Charley Taylor, the acquisition of RGIII probably has generated more fanfare than any acquisition in the 80-year history of the storied franchise.

The Redskins happily gave up a second-round pick this year and first-round picks in each of the next two years to move up four spots in the first round to select Griffin with the second overall choice in the draft.

For a team that has started 21 quarterbacks in 21 years and finished last in the NFC East the last four seasons, it seems like a small price to pay.

"What he has done is really start to unite a fan base and an organization that has been down for a few years," Redskins veteran tight end Chris Cooley said. "As players, when you feel an outside influence that we are not a very good team or people don't believe in us, it weighs on you. Robert has really started to change the attitude in this area. We feel extremely excited about what he can do for us."

Coach Mike Shanahan was so excited about what the Heisman Trophy winner can do for the Redskins that he named RGIII the starter May 6, before the veterans even had reported for offseason activities.

"He has the ability to do a lot of different things," Shanahan said. "He can make plays a lot of quarterbacks can't make."

Middle linebacker London Fletcher was a free agent in the offseason, and he waited to re-sign with the Redskins until after they made the trade-up to secure the second pick.

"For a veteran guy, it's my 15th year, you want a chance to compete for a championship," Fletcher said. "It's hard to do that in this league without a quarterback you feel great about. … Coming back here would have been a lot harder sell without having a quarterback."

The 2011 rookie performance of Carolina's Cam Newton, a player with whom Griffin often is compared, has raised the expectations for Griffin. Newton passed for more yards and ran for more yards than any rookie in history on his way to the Pro Bowl.

"I think Griffin has the talent to match that," Fletcher said. "And he has the work ethic. But we have to do things to help him."

Specifically, the Redskins will have to do three things to help him: Play excellent defense, protect him from the rush and run the ball. Their ability to do all three well enough is questionable.

The defense, with young pass rush monsters Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan leading the charge, appears to be on the upswing even though questions about the secondary remain. The Redskins improved from the 31st-ranked defense in 2010 to No. 13 last year.

The offensive line has not engendered as much optimism. Four of the Redskins starters have missed some time with injuries in camp, and even if healthy this line is a far cry from the legendary Hogs.

But Shanahan vows not to overtax the line with play calls that will expose its weaknesses. He can't afford to allow defenses to make Griffin road kill.

Shanahan is renowned for his ability to manufacture a running game without top talent, but in his two years with the Redskins the team has finished 30th and 25th in rushing yards.

And he still does not have top talent. It looks like he will run the ball with a committee of Tim Hightower, Roy Helu and perhaps a player to be named.

The presence of Griffin should make the running game more effective because he should be a dual threat. Griffin ran for more than 2,000 yards at Baylor and ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.

The only issue is how much Griffin should be running. Shanahan does not seem inclined to discourage him from using his feet.

"Why was Vince Young the rookie of the year?" Shanahan said. "A quarterback has to be himself."

Vince Young would not have been rookie of the year if he had not run for 552 yards. It is likely Griffin will be putting up big rushing numbers as well.

Being name rookie of the year would be a wonderful accomplishment for Griffin. Turning around the Redskins would be a better one.